What is the effect of excessive moisture during soil compaction?

Excessive moisture during soil compaction significantly affects the effectiveness of the compaction process. When the moisture content exceeds the optimum level, it leads to instability and can create a situation where the soil particles cannot effectively interlock. This results in insufficient compaction density, which means the soil lacks the necessary strength to support structures or loads placed upon it.

In conditions of high moisture, the excess water creates pore pressure within the soil matrix, which can weaken the overall structure, causing it to become more susceptible to deformation and yielding under stress. This phenomenon can result in various issues like settlement, shear failure, or even erosion, depending on the environmental factors and specific soil characteristics. Effective compaction relies on achieving the right balance of moisture, and deviating from that balance negatively impacts the quality of the final compacted soil structure, affirming the correctness of the selected answer.